by The answer is yes, you can. However, there are some things to think about before adding this minor… First, you’ll need to be sure the goal for adding the minor is a sound one. Ask yourself, “What makes me want to add this minor?”
It’s important to have a good answer to this question because if it isn’t helpful or relevant, you might regret your choice later. For example, perhaps you want to add something else to your resume when applying for jobs post-graduation? And that’s fine, but you might want to reconsider that choice if it isn’t related to your field of study or truly holds interest for you.
What are some of the benefits?
Pros: The opportunity to learn various subjects. If you’re dissatisfied with your current major, then a minor can allow more flexibility and give you more choices. A minor can also allow you to test out the courses you need for your degree.
Minors can be a great way to add a cohort of students or meet friends with similar interests. Adding an area of study could help set yourself up for graduate school or job opportunities.
What are some drawbacks?
Cons: You might have to change sections and professors to complete your minor courses. You might have to take more courses than intended, which can add to your stress and workload. You will probably have to pay additional tuition fees for the minor.
Second, will adding a minor require taking classes that could be used as electives towards another goal, such as an internship program? If so, then proceed with caution. Internship programs can often require specific classes that may be hard to fit into your schedule if you’re already working towards another goal.
For example, perhaps you want to take an internship at a veterinary hospital during the summer, requiring biology classes. If those are the only biology classes offered this year, it might make more sense to wait until next year before adding another minor.
What are some examples of recent college graduates who added a minor in their second year?
Susan is a sophomore at her local university who is an undecided major. She is considering adding a minor in environmental studies as she is interested in nature and wildlife. She decides to check with the Office of Academic Affairs, and after filling out a form, she meets with a representative from this office.
The representative tells Susan that if she can complete the science credits for her environmental studies minor by December, she can add the minor with no additional coursework required. She also finds out that her GPA will not be affected by the addition of this minor.
Bradford graduated with a BS in Chemistry and an MS in Biochemistry. After college, Tim worked as a research scientist for several years before moving into sales. He says that both science degrees were beneficial when he moved into his current position selling lab equipment.
Helena is a recent graduate with a BA in Psychology and a Humanities minor. Helena says that both of these minors helped her in graduate school and currently as a teacher’s assistant for an elementary school.
At first, she wasn’t sure she wanted to add the Humanities minor, but as her time at Notre Dame grew closer to graduation, she decided to add the minor because it would allow her to take more interesting courses.
While some might say it is not worth adding a minor, these graduates all believe they made the right decision. They also feel that it was beneficial to them in their careers and would recommend it to anyone who isn’t sure whether or not to add a minor to their college experience.
Do you have a full workload this year? Adding on another course could overload your schedule. Also, will you have enough time to dedicate to its completion? You’ll need to consider exam dates and the length of the class. Be sure not to overschedule yourself because if you’re in two classes simultaneously, you’ll be doubling the work and might not have enough time to dedicate to either successfully.
When is a good time to add the minor?
It’s important that you don’t bite off more than you can chew, so it’s wise to wait until after your first year of college to add on another course. This way, if it’s more than you can handle, you’ll still have plenty of time to make adjustments before your second year begins.
How will adding a minor impact, my major?
If you’re majoring in psychology or education, adding a minor might not be necessary. These majors also do not usually have great employment opportunities after graduation. However, if you are undecided or in the fields of business, engineering, or technology, then a minor may help you with your resume and job prospects after graduation.
Will adding a minor in my second year of college affect my GPA?
Although there is no way to prove how a minor will affect your GPA, colleges like to see that you are a diverse learner, and a minor can showcase that. Adding a minor should not make or break your overall GPA.
What is the easiest minor to add and get your GPA up?
This generally depends on the area of study, but chances are if you are majoring in a math or science field, you can take math methods classes and get a higher GPA in these classes. For instance, if you want to pursue the accounting program, it will be harder to hit this mark due to the major focus of other credits.
How will this affect my college career?
As long as the goal is sound and all factors are considered, it shouldn’t make a difference in your college career. Adding a minor is totally within the rules of college life.
Summary Guide To Follow When Adding A Minor
It is important to note that the process is different at each school and requires approval from your university’s Office of Academic Affairs. Here are some steps to follow to add a minor in your second year of college:
1. Determine whether you need approval from your school’s Office of Academic Affairs and double-check if you’re allowed to add on another course. Some are stricter about the number of courses you can take in a semester than others.
2. Contact your school’s Office of Academic Affairs and request the necessary forms through this department.
3. Complete the required forms and submit them to your school’s Office of Academic Affairs. In tenure, you may be required to have a meeting or interview with members from this office. You should also check with the financial aid department if you have funding to cover the cost of adding a minor with additional cost to your tuition.
4. If you receive approval, then contact your school’s registrar and ask to add the minor with the same course requirements as your major.
Once you’ve decided that adding the minor is the right choice for your college career, it’s time to start selecting which classes you’ll need. Be certain to work out all the details with your advisor (i.e., how these classes will fit into your yearly schedule) and what resources are available, and if there’s anything required to add this course. A good advisor will help ensure you have everything you need to be successful.
After you add your minor, make sure to put it on your resume and anywhere else you have to fill out the information. Just stay on top of the requirements and ensure that each course holds interest for you. If all goes well, by the time your second year comes around, you’ll be able to add another notch under your belt.
